Page 72 of Guarding the Singer

Selene laughed more. "Want to help me run my lines?"

Cali's jaw dropped open and then she leaned in with a fake leering look. "Is that a come on? Shouldn't you be asking your honey bun to read lines with you?"

"Honey bun?"

Selene turned to see William standing in the doorway. "Will! Cali said you flew her in."

He nodded and she got up from her chair. He reached her first and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her softly.

When he stepped back, she looked up into his face and knew that she was completely and crazily in love. "How did you know that I needed her? I didn't even know what I needed?"

He rubbed her upper arms and leaned in, whispering to her. "I'd do anything to protect you, Sel. Anything to make you happy."

Selene was on the verge of falling into his arms, the only thing that stopped her was a loud sigh and the flash of a camera phone.

"Oh my lord, that was hot! H.A.W.T! I'm crazy jealous but more so I'm super happy for you, girl! You, too, Hotstuff!"

The door opened and the costumer, Jessica Houston,gave them all a little wave. "Selene? Could you come over to the wardrobe trailer?"

Selene smiled from ear to ear. "Sure!"

She took a step and then thought better of it. "Jessica? Do you mind if my friend, Cali, comes with us?"

Cali squealed a little and then thinned her lips into a pale line before she whispered. "I promise to be quiet. You won't even know that I'm there."

Jessica laughed and waved them along. "We almost always have music on in wardrobe. Come on. We can chat a little while I do a final fitting for Selene's concert gown."

Cali's fingers waggled and she almost danced in place. "A gown! A fitting for a gown!"

Jessica, dressed in a gorgeous flowing dress, hooked her arms through Cali and Selene's and led them out of the room.

Selene looked back and saw William following behind them.

She loved seeing him so close.

And as much as she was thrilled that there didn't seem to be any trouble brewing, she wondered how long he'd continue to be around.

She didn't want him to go.

William was happy that Cali had agreed to come to New York and spend the weekend with them.

Thanks to help from Badger and Flash, they'd organized a dinner out in the backyard garden and then a night in with popcorn and movies in the living room.

Given Selene's penchant for Etsy buys, William had even located a local crafter who makes colorful pillows with fabric that she painted herself.

Another local business was tapped for flavored popcorn and by the time they started the first movie, William was able to see Selene look like she was completely relaxed and at peace. It was worth every penny and moment it took to set it up.

She was worth it.

William had insisted that Cali share the bedroom with Selene and he'd take the couch.

Perhaps that was why he was sitting up with Selene, barely watching a movie after everyone else had gone to bed.

He didn't even know what it was, it just auto played after they'd watched. She sat, her head against his shoulder as he played with her hair, combing his fingers through it. Twisting the lengths around his fingers.

It was almost as if they weren't really doing anything at all.

Just breathing together.

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